[5] Progressive Adventists typically believe the present church structure is very "top heavy" with too many levels of leadership, and possibly too much hierarchical control.
[12] Progressive Adventists tend to believe there should be candid reporting of news and information about the church whether positive or negative.
[9] This view is also shared by many more mainstream Adventists such as former editors of the Australian Record James Coffin[13] and Bruce Manners.
[17] This term may be used by Adventists who are not overly concerned with theology, such as evangelical Kenneth Samples' description of "a segment that is atheological in nature and reflects what [he] would call a cultural Adventism.
"[18] It may also refer to those who feel an attachment towards the Adventist church for cultural reasons only rather than beliefs or strict theological conformity.
[citation needed] Clifford Goldstein has declared, While Adventist church worship is commonly conservative, a few minor segments in their history may be looked at as charismatic in nature.
Phenomena of this nature have been present throughout Adventist history, resulting in such things as the Holy Flesh movement which Ellen White strongly rebuked.
[9] A number of Progressive Adventists are actually liberal Christians, accepting such things as homosexuality and even support for LGBTQ individuals at the college and university level.
[citation needed] The 1957 publication of Questions on Doctrine (QOD) as a result of dialog with critic Walter Martin is seen as a beginning for Progressive Adventism.
[18] "The seeds of this movement were sown within the denomination via the book QOD in 1957, and the seed-plot was watered by the public ministries of such men as R. A. Anderson, Robert Brinsmead, Desmond Ford, Smuts van Rooyen, and others.
[23] Brinsmead changed his stance while Desmond Ford openly differed with several church viewpoints in the 1970s., echoing some of the ideas of A.F.
According to one author, Progressives reject the mainstream views on and are united by belief in the pre-fallen nature of Jesus (and hold he was primarily our substitute not our example), assurance of salvation without sanctification, that overcoming sin or perfectionism is impossible, that Jesus ascended straight to the Most Holy Place rather the Holy Place in the tabernacle in heaven at his ascension (although opinions varied on a pre-advent judgment), that Ellen White had the gift of prophecy but was not infallible nor should be used for doctrine.
In addition to its quarterly journal, Spectrum also runs a regularly updated website with news and analysis on developments within the Church and other areas.
The material on the Present Truth Magazine website is produced by the "Gospel Friends Christian Fellowship", which they explain to be an association of evangelical Seventh-day Adventists.
[52] Held in Monterey, California, it was based partly on the annual retreat concept popularized by Bill Clinton.
[54] Clark Pinnock gave very favourable reviews of Alden Thompson's Inspiration, despite the significant attention given to Ellen White in the content, and Richard Rice's theology textbook Reign of God.
[23] Progressive Adventists claim they are supportive or appreciate those statements by Ellen White which affirm other Christians, such as the instruction to come near to ministers of other denominations, to pray with and for them.
[56] Some authors report increased mixing of Progressive Adventists joining with other Christians worshiping on Sunday rather than the Sabbath.
[61] By Alden Thompson's count, "The footnotes label some 66 Adventist scholars, authors, administrators as being on the wrong side of the divide.
"[66] Andy Nash encountered some within the Adventist Today and Spectrum groups who had a liberal view of Scripture.
The Spectrum editors have said, "Every ten years or so another witch hunt occurs" in Adventist higher education.
[71] F. D. Nichol stated that the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary would not have been possible without the theologically open climate in the church during the 1950s and 60s.
[69] The 1980 Adventist Review article "Colleges in Trouble" by editor Kenneth Wood,[73] was seen by some as a contributing factor.
[75] A few scholars went against proposals to introduce centralized oversight of theological education, such as former General Conference president Robert Folkenberg's "Total Commitment to God Archived 2009-10-20 at the Wayback Machine" initiative in 1996, and Folkenberg's action to establish an overseeing "Board of Ministerial and Theological Education" in every Division of the church to oversee its theological seminaries "evoked significant criticism in some areas, including North America",[76] which was put on hold.
[77] There was concern over the document "International Coordination and Supervision of Seventh-day Adventist Ministerial and Theological Education".
Since 2009, Adventist members criticised La Sierra University because some lecturers have allegedly affirmed biological evolution which met with criticism from pastor David Asscherick, and others such as on the website "Educate Truth" founded by graduate Shane Hilde.
[87] Lawrence T. Geraty, president of La Sierra University (1993-2007), stated, "LSU continues to be a sound, loyal Seventh-day Adventist institution where victories for Christ happen every day.
"[88] Ricardo Graham, chair of the La Sierra Board of Trustees (2008-2021) affirmed the university and its commitment to a "recent six-day creation.